Xiaomi Yi camera firmware: from file selection to installation [2026]

Xiaomi Yi cameras are some of the most popular video and home surveillance devices, but their standard software doesn’t always meet the needs of users. The firmware allows you to unlock hidden features, improve video quality, fix bugs, or even install alternative firmware like YI-HACK But the process requires care: wrong actions can turn a camera into a brick».

In this guide, we will analyze all the stages - from preparing the device to choosing the firmware method (through the use of the device). SD-map, USB Special attention will be paid to the compatibility of firmware with specific models (Yi Action Camera, Yi Home, Yi Home, Yi). 4K+ And so on, because using the wrong software file is guaranteed to bring the device down, and you'll also find the decision errors that users face when updating.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start updating, make sure your Xiaomi Yi camera is ready for the procedure. Neglect of preparation is the main cause of failures and “bricking” devices.

First, check the current firmware version.

• 📱 To the Yi Action Camera: Go to Settings → The camera. → POS version.
• 🏠 On Yi Home: Open the Mi Home app, select the camera → Settings → About the device.
• 🎥 On Yi 4K/4K+: Press the Wi-Fi button on 5 Seconds – the version will appear on the screen.

Second, charge the battery to a minimum. 70%. Firmware through SD-card may take up to 10 If the power goes out in the process, the camera will stop responding to the buttons. 1/2) It is better to connect an external power source through USB.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Yi Home Camera 1080p (White, with rotary mechanism, never use firmware from Yi Home Camera 720p — This will cause a hardware failure of the turn engine.

Finally, prepare a memory card:

• 💾 Format: FAT32 (not exFAT or NTFS).
• 📁 Size: Up to 32GB (for most models).
• 🔄 Format it through the camera: Settings → Format a map.

2. Where to download official and custom firmware

The source of the firmware determines the success of the entire procedure. Official files from Xiaomi are stable, but limited in functionality, while custom (for example, custom files, YI-HACK Or Armbian for Yi. 4K+) open up RTSP-flow, FTP, Telnet and other advanced settings.

Official firmware:

• 🌐 Xiaomi Support Site (Select Smart Camera).
• 📦 Archives with firmware for Yi Action: 4PDA (file-tested).
• 📧 For Yi Home: Firmware often comes via the Mi Home app in the Software Update section.

Castom firmware:

⚠️ Note: Firmware from unofficial sources (such as torrent trackers) may contain malicious code (MD5/SHA1) utilities 7-Zip or HashMyFiles.

For Yi. 4K+ It is especially important to choose the right version of Armbian – incompatible build can damage the bootloader.

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If you downloaded firmware in your archive (.zip or.rar), don't unpack it on the entire memory card. Often, inside is a file with the.bin or.img extension, which you need to copy to the root. SD-map.

3. Firmware methods: which to choose

How to update software depends on the camera model and the firmware type. Let's consider three main methods, each of which has its pros and cons.

3.1. Firmware through SD-map (recommended for most models)

The most versatile and safe way to use Yi Action Camera, Yi Home and Yi 4K. Algorithm:

1. Download the firmware and rename it in firmware.bin (for official purposes or according to the instructions of the hack (e.g, hack.bin for YI-HACK).
2. Copy the file to the root SD-cards (not in folders!).
3. Put the card in the camera that's off.
4. Turn on the device and wait for the update to automatically start (the progress bar will appear on the screen).

3.2. Firmware through USB (yi 4K+ and custom-assemblies)

This method requires a PC and is used to install Armbian or other Linux distributions.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (for Yi) 4K+).
• 🛠️ Utility. Yi4KPlus_Tool (download on GitHub).

The process involves putting the camera in Fastboot mode and loading the firmware through the command line.

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

Update via Mi Home app (Yi Home only)

If your camera is connected to Mi Home, check for updates manually:

1. Open the app. → Choose a camera.
2. Go to Settings → About the device → Software update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.

This method is the easiest, but does not allow you to install custom software.

Download the firmware from an official source|Check the hash amount of the file|Format SD-map FAT32|Rename the file to firmware.bin|Charge the camera to 100%-->

Step-by-step instruction: Yi Action Camera firmware (example) YI-HACK)

Consider the installation process YI-HACK v4 Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (1 or 2 This firmware adds RTSP-stream, possibility of recording 4K@30fps Unlimited and remote control via Telnet.

Step 1: Download files

• 📥 Download the archive from GitHub (select the version for your model).
• 📂 Unpack the archive and find the file. hack.bin.
• 💾 Copy it into a formatted one. SD-card!).

Step 2. Installation of the hack

1. Put it in. SD-camera-card.
2. Turn on the device by holding the Wi-Fi button (upgrading... will appear on the screen).
3. Wait for the end (about 2-3 minutes) and the camera will reboot automatically.

Step 3: Configure after firmware

• 📶 Connect to the camera's Wi-Fi network (name will be available) YI_HACK_XXXX).
• 🌐 Open in the browser 192.168.42.1 – the control panel will open.
• ⚙️ In the System section, configure the video settings (bitrate, resolution) and activate RTSP.

⚠️ Attention: After installation YI-HACK You can use a standard Yi Action app to stop connecting to the camera. VLC (for RTSP-flow).

5. firmware Yi Home Camera: features and risks

Yi Home Cameras (especially models) 1080p and 720p) The main danger is damage to the rotary mechanism when using inappropriate software. v5) permit:

• 🎥 Record the video locally on SD-cloud-based.
• 🔒 Disable Xiaomi Cloud Services (Increases Privacy).
• 📡 Set up RTSP-Stream integration with Home Assistant or iSpy.

Instructions for Yi Home 1080p:

1. Download the firmware. yi-hack-v5.bin yi-hack.com.
2. Rename the file to home.bin and copy on SD-map.
3. Put the card in the camera and connect the power.
4. Wait for the yellow LED flashing (the signal of a successful installation).

After the firmware:

• 🔧 Access to settings: Connect to the Wi-Fi camera (YI_HOME_XXXX) and open 192.168.42.1.
• 📁 Logs and videos will be saved on SD-file-card /tmp/sd/record.

⚠️ Note: Yi Home Camera 2020 (model with IR illumination) YI-HACK It may not work properly with night mode. Check compatibility on the forum before firmware. 4PDA.

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For Yi Home Camera, it is critical to use firmware that corresponds to hardware revision, and you can recognize it by a sticker on the case (for example, Y21A or Y22B).

6. Yi firmware 4K/4K+: Installation of Armbian and alternative OS

Xiaomi Yi 4K+ It is based on the Ambarella processor. A12, It's a popular version of Armbian, which turns the camera into a mini PC with Python support, SSH And even Docker.

Requirements:

• 🖥️ Computer with Ubuntu 20.04+ Windows 10/11 (Libusb-infused drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (to connect to a PC).
• 🛠️ Utility. Yi4KPlus_Tool (download).

Armbian installation process:

1. Unpack the archive with Armbian and find the files boot.img, system.img.
2. Connect the camera to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power) + Wi-Fi when turned on).
3. Run the command line in the folder with the utility and execute: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot reboot
4. After restarting, connect to the camera. SSH (default login/password: root/1234).

Post-firmware capabilities:

• 🐧 Full Linux terminal with support for apt.
• 📡 Setup of the camera as IP-camera RTSP/HLS.
• 🤖 Running scripts in Python to automate shooting.

⚠️ Note: Armbian installs erases Xiaomi's standard software. To return the original state, you will need to flash the original firmware.bin through SD-Card in recovery mode (clamping Record) + Power).

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have failures, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

If the camera does not respond to the buttons and does not turn on:

1. Try to clamp down the Power + Record for 15 seconds (hardware reset).
2. Connect to the PC through USB — If you are defined as a device, use Yi4KPlus_Tool repair.
3. For Yi Action: Check if the battery is burned (try to turn on from an external source).

fastboot flash --force system system.img

8.Security and optimization tips after firmware

Successful firmware is only half the battle, and to keep the camera running smoothly and safely, follow these guidelines:

Safety:

• 🔐 Change the standard passwords for Telnet/SSH (often admin or 12345678).
• 🌐 Turn off unnecessary ports in the settings YI-HACK (for example, FTP, if you don't use).
• 🔄 Regularly update custom software via git pull (for firmware based on GitHub).

Optimization:

• 📹 For Yi Action: in YI-HACK Increase the bitrate to 60 Mbps for better quality 4K.
• 💾 On Yi Home, set up a High-sensitive motion record (to avoid missing events).
• 📡 For Yi. 4K+ Armbian: Disable Unnecessary Services (Systemctl Disable Avahi-Daemon) to Save Resources.

Backup:

• 💾 Save a copy of the original firmware on PC (in case of rollbacks).
• 📁 For YI-HACK: Export the configuration via the web interface (Backup Settings).

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After you have installed the Yi Home Camera, check the temperature of the case. Some custom builds increase the load on the processor, which can lead to overheating. If necessary, add passive cooling (radiator).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Yi firmware